Rational Number Project Initial Fraction Ideas Lesson : Overview Students explore fraction equivalence by naming fractions equal to / with fraction circles and by finding other fraction equivalences with fraction circles. Materials Fraction Circles for students and teacher Large sheet of chart paper for teacher; Equivalence Chart for students Fraction Fill board for students and numeral cards for teacher Circle page divided into twelfths Teaching Actions Warm Up Use paper folding strips to show these two fractions: and. Compare the strips which fraction is larger? Why? Large Group Introduction. At the overhead, cover the whole circle with yellow and ask students to find different ways to cover the remaining half of the circle. Record answers by color. Ex: blue and grays blues. Repeat this activity, but this time, specify that they have to use one color to cover half the circle. Record results by color and fraction name. Comments The idea of equivalence is a prerequisite for fraction operations. To add +, you will explain that can be exchanged for =. because Equality should first be developed from concrete models before explaining a rule that generates Ê equal fractions = ˆ Ë Á You are defining equivalent fractions by showing that fractions are equivalent if they cover the same amount of the circle. Partitioning is different so the digits in the fraction symbols are different; but of equal parts covers the same amount as of equal parts. yellow = blues yellow = pinks. Ask what each display has in common. [They all cover Lesson RNP 00
Teaching Actions Comments -half of the black circle therefore they are all equivalent].. Continue to model fraction equivalences by completing the equivalence chart. Make a large classroom chart of this picture or use a transparency of student s chart. Red White Gray Pink Blue Brown Yellow 7 0. Start by asking students to cover / of the whole circle. Now ask them if they can cover the same amount with whites (without cutting the pieces). Check other colors. Because pink equals reds, record on the chart, / under the / column across from pink. Give students a copy of the master for the circle divided into ths for this activity. Students try to cover of the circle by placing fraction pieces on top of this circle page. Red White Gray Pink Blue Brown Yellow 7 0 Teachers have found that filling in the equivalence chart to be easy for some and difficult for others. Consider completing the chart in pairs.. Repeat for /, recording in fraction symbols / and / under the / column [see above]. Small Group/Partner Work 7. Continue, completing the rest of the chart. Students can do this in groups or with a partner. RNP 00 Lesson
Teaching Actions Comments Red White Gray Pink Blue Brown Yellow 7 0 One-half equivalences are the most important ones for children to learn. Students with good fraction number sense use as a reference point for estimating the size of other fractions.. Use this chart as a reference for fraction equivalencies. Students can use it as they play the following game. If you are making a classroom chart then after students complete their own charts take time to share their work to fill out the classroom chart. Discuss how the chart shows fraction equivalences. Wrap Up. Play the Fraction Fill game. Students use their equivalence chart to help them find equivalences. MATERIALS: Fraction numeral cards** Fraction Fill Board A student will use his/her concept of to estimate, for example, + : equals ; is greater than ; so the sum is greater than. This reasoning is an excellent example of thinking quantitatively. Thinking quantitatively is not rulebound, but relies on the mental images children have for fractions. Images for are critical. DIRECTIONS: Teacher randomly selects a numeral card and shows it to students. Students choose to shade that amount on one of the circles. They can only shade representation for that fraction amount. Ex: / Student can shade } or but not both Student cannot shade the circle divided into two equal parts by adding lines to the circle to divide it into fourths. Just as students learn the basic +, -, x, facts, you want them to learn basic fraction equivalents for,,,,,. On this level, they don t need rules, but many physical/visual examples with these fractions and their equivalents. Fraction Fill is a game that can be played throughout the rest of the lessons. Lesson RNP 00
Teaching Actions Comments Continue showing numeral cards. Students refer to equivalence chart to make selections. The first to shade two complete circles says Fraction Fill. ** Make a set of cards for,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 7,,, 0, Translations Written symbols to manipulative to written symbols Written symbols to pictures RNP 00 Lesson
Lesson /Warm Up Use paper folding strips to show these two fractions: and Compare the strips which fraction is larger? Why?
7 0
Name Lesson / Student Page A Red 7 0 White Gray Pink Blue Brown Yellow
Name Lesson / Student Page B Fraction Fill
Name Lesson / Student Page C